Alternative surgical techniques

Following the links above should provide you with sufficient information to hold an informed discussion with your consultant. It is only through such discussion that you can feel confident that you are making the best decision for yourself.

Other Possibilities

Arthrodesis (joint fusion)

Used to be offered to hip patients to relieve intractable pain. With the amazing progress that has been made in hip replacement and hip resurfacing it is now only used as a treatment of last resort when a hip replacement has failed

Nutrition and supplements

There are any amounts of claims that this or that diet or this or that supplement help relieve either osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis - most of them have little or no evidence to support them. For instance a recent study (September 2010) which reviewed 10 other studies concluded that there is no evidence that glucosamine or chondroitin have any effect other than a placebo one. However many users of these supplements would totally disagree. This is an area I will be looking into more deeply next year.

For more information about different types of hip problems follow the links at the bottom of this page.